Boards

Seemingly out of nowhere, Guillemots' 4th album has arrived in the shape of 'Hello Land!', the the first of four (yes, four) brand new albums they're releasing this year.

And I have to say, it's pretty damn good.

They're one of those bands who I feel have suffered diminishing returns since their excellent 'From The Cliffs' EP and debut long-player 'Through The Window Pane'. The last two albums have been decidedly patchy, not to mention over-long.

But this is a real return to form. It's their most subtle and beautiful collections of songs yet - the sound is predominantly wistful acoustic with ambient washes and some lovely instrumental passages that, at times, oddly recall side 2 of Bowie's 'Low'. And with only 8 songs and a 45 minute running time, it's by far their most concise album to date.

Considering I found Walk the River to be absolutely amazing and even enjoyed Red even if it was messy as hell, so the quality of this hasn't really been a shocker. Really enjoying the new one, wonderfully moody and floaty. I'd normally feel really reserved about an artist releasing four albums within a year but considering both this album and Walk the River, I'm pretty sure they're going to be able to pull out a lot of great stuff this year.

Yes, I would concur with you wholeheartedly. Love the depth and range of album . Brilliant production. The gentle flutes enhancing several tracks, moody but fun brass, FD's vocals soaring majestically. Love the poetry of it all and the anthemic "I Lie Down". I don't know about spring this is like basking in the sun!

i really really home the 'summer' album is a giant slab of banging pop moments like Sao Paulo or Made Up Love Song. that's really what they did best on that record for me - awesome pop songs with loads of imagination.

nice to see a band cut loose from their major actually going for it, though. no idea if this will pay off but good on them.

...been a band with too many ideas. a touch more editing on each of their records wouldn't have gone amiss. they've huge natural talent though. i figure there's a classic in them somewhere down the line.